FRWA

Example Cross-Connection Control Program Plan and Resolutionfor a Small Community Water System

Contents

This document contains an example written cross-connection control (CCC) program plan and an example resolution for a small community water system (CWS). The resolution establishes the authority of a CWS to adopt and implement a CCC program.

How to Use This Document

The example written CCC program plan and resolution in this document have been designed for use by CWSs where the majority of the service connections are residences or premises owned or occupied by private or public entities separate from the CWS.

The example written CCC program plan in this document has been arranged and formatted for ease of review by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), or the approved county health department,when it evaluates the plan with respect to Rule 62-555.360, Florida Administrative Code. It is recommended that CWSs follow the format (i.e., use the example written CCC program plan as a template) whenever possible. However, CWSs are not required to use the example written CCC program plan. Some CWSs may have a particular approach or institutional requirements that may dictate a different format or wording in their written CCC program plan.

It is recommended that CWSs consult with legal counsel when using the example written CCC plan and resolution.

Instructions

To use the example written CCC program plan, CWSs are encouraged to:

  1. Download the example plan file (in Microsoft Word format) from the Florida Rural Water Association (FRWA)website or obtain it from the FRWA electronically; or email
  2. Retain the basic formatting and text of the exampleplan and fill in the blanksindicated by yellow highlighting to “customize” the example plan; and
  3. Include or delete alternative language indicated by yellow highlightingin the example plan to reflect system-specific decisions.

Cross-Connection Control Program Plan

for the [Insert Public Water System Name]

[Insert Date of Plan]

Requirement for Program Plan

The [insert public water system name], [insert public water system identification number], hereinafter referred to as the “community water system (CWS),” has the responsibility to protect itselffrom contamination caused by cross-connections on customers’ premises. A cross-connection is defined in Rule 62-550.200, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), as follows:

“CROSS-CONNECTION” means any physical arrangement whereby a public water supply is connected, directly or indirectly, with any other water supply system, sewer, drain, conduit, pool, storage reservoir, plumbing fixture, or other device which contains or may contain contaminated water, sewage or other waste, or liquid of unknown or unsafe quality which may be capable of imparting contamination to the public water supply as the result of backflow. By-pass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or changeable devices, and other temporary or permanent devices through which or because of which backflow could occur are considered to be cross-connections.

Pursuant to Rule 62-555.360, F.A.C., the CWSis required to establish and implement a cross-connection control (CCC) program utilizing backflow protection at or for service connections from the CWS. The CCC programmust include a written plan that contains, as a minimum, the following components:

I.Legal authority for the CWS’s CCC program.

II.The CWS’s policy establishing where backflow protection at or for service connections from the CWS is mandatory.

III.The CWS’s policy regarding ownership, installation, inspection/testing, and maintenance of backflow protection that the CWS is requiring at or for service connections from the CWS.

IV.The CWS’s procedures for evaluating customers’ premises to establish the category of customer and the backflow protection being required at or for the service connection(s) from the CWS to the customer.

V.The CWS’s procedures for maintaining CCC program records.

Note: Throughout this CCC program plan, the term “customer” is used. Customer, as used herein, means the property owner and/or occupant of the premises served by the CWS (i.e., whoever interfaces with the CWS regarding water service). Also, unless otherwise defined, all CCC-related terms used in this CCC program plan have the same definitions as those contained in Rules 62-550.200 and 62-555.360, F.A.C.

Program Plan Components

Rule 62-555.360, F.A.C., requires thatwritten CCC program plans include certain minimum components. The minimum components are listed in Table 62-555.360-1 in Rule 62-555.360. This section includes the required minimum components. Components are numbered the same as they appear in Table 62-555.360-1.

Component I:Legal authority for the CWS’s CCC program (i.e., an ordinance, a bylaw or resolution, or water service rules and regulations).

The CWS has adopted Resolution No. [insert resolution number], which is included in Appendix A. The resolution authorizes the CWS to establish and implement a CCC program and references the following CWS policies:

  • The CWS’s policy establishing where backflow protection at or for service connections from the CWS is mandatory.
  • The CWS’s policy regarding ownership, installation, inspection/testing, and maintenance of backflow protection that the CWS is requiring at or for service connections from the CWS.

Component II:The CWS’s policy establishing where backflow protection at or for service connections from the CWS is mandatory.

This policy applies to all new or existing customers.

The following minimum backflow protection shall be provided at or for service connections from the CWS to the following categories of customers:

Category of Customer / Minimum Backflow Protection1 to Be Provided at or for the Service Connection from the CWS to the Customer
Beverage processing plant, including any brewery / DC if the plant presents a low hazard2; or RP if the plant presents a high hazard2
Cannery, packing house, rendering plant, or any facility where fruit, vegetable, or animal matter is processed, excluding any premises where there is only a restaurant or food service facility / RP
Car wash / RP
Chemical plant or facility using water in the manufacturing, processing, compounding, or treatment of chemicals, including any facility where a chemical that does not meet the requirements in paragraph 62-555.320(3)(a), F.A.C., is used as an additive to the water / RP
Dairy, creamery, ice cream plant, cold-storage plant, or ice manufacturing plant / RP3
Dye plant / RP
Film laboratory or processing facility or film manufacturing plant, excluding any small, noncommercial darkroom facility / RP
Hospital; medical research center; sanitarium; autopsy facility; medical, dental, or veterinary clinic where surgery is performed; or plasma center / RP
Laboratory, excluding any laboratory at an elementary, middle, or high school / RP
Laundry (commercial), excluding any self-service laundry or Laundromat / RP
Marine repair facility, marine cargo handling facility, or boat moorage / RP
Metal manufacturing, cleaning, processing, or fabricating facility using water in any of its operations or processes, including any aircraft or automotive manufacturing plant / DC if the facility presents a low hazard2; or RP if the facility presents a high hazard2
Mortuary / RP
Premises where oil or gas is produced, developed, processed, blended, stored, refined, or transmitted in a pipeline or where oil or gas tanks are repaired or tested, excluding any premises where there is only a fuel dispensing facility / RP
Premises where there is an auxiliary or reclaimed water system4,5 / A. At or for a residential service connection6: DuC7
B. At or for a non-residential service connection6: DC if the auxiliary or reclaimed water system presents a low hazard8,9; or RP if the auxiliary or reclaimed water systempresents a high hazard8,9
Premises where there is a cooling tower / RP
Premises where there is an irrigation system that is using potable water and that…
I. Is connected directly to the CWS’s distribution system via a dedicated irrigation service connection
II. Is connected internally to the customer’s plumbing system / I. At or for a residential or non-residential dedicated irrigation service connection6: PVB if backpressure cannot develop in the downstream piping10; or RP if backpressure could develop in the downstream piping10
II. None11
Premises where there is a wet-pipe sprinkler, or wet standpipe, fire protection system that is using potable water and that…
I. Is connected directly to the CWS’s distribution system via a dedicated fire service connection12
II. Is connected internally to the customer’s plumbing system / I.A. At or for a residential dedicated fire service connection6: DuC if the fire protection system contains no chemical additives and is not connected to an auxiliary water system4; or RP/RPDA if the fire protection system contains chemical additives or is connected to an auxiliary water system4,13
I.B. At or for a non-residential dedicated fire service connection6: DC/DCDA if the fire protection system contains no chemical additives and is not connected to an auxiliary water system4; or RP/RPDA if the fire protection system contains chemical additives or is connected to an auxiliary water system4,13
II. None11
Radioactive material processing or handling facility or nuclear reactor / RP
Paper products plant using a wet process / RP
Plating facility, including any aircraft or automotive manufacturing plant / RP
Restricted-access facility / RP
Steam boiler plant / RP
Tall building ‒ i.e., a building with five or more floors at or above ground level / DC if the customer has no potable water distribution lines connected to the suction side of a booster pump; or RP if the customer has one or more potable water distribution lines connected to the suction side of a booster pump
Wastewater treatment plant or wastewater pumping station / RP
Customer supplied with potable water via a temporary or permanent service connection from a CWS fire hydrant / Varies14

1 Means of backflow protection, listed in an increasing level of protection, include the following: a dual check device (DuC); a double check valve assembly (DC) or double check detector assembly (DCDA); a pressure vacuum breaker assembly (PVB); a reduced-pressure principle assembly (RP) or reduced-pressure principle detector assembly (RPDA); and an air gap. A PVB may not be used if backpressure could develop in the downstream piping.

2 The CWS shall determine the degree of hazard. “Low hazard” or “non-health hazard” and “high hazard” or “health hazard” are defined inAmerican Water Works Association Manual of Water Supply Practices—M14, Third Edition, Recommended Practice for Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control as follows:

  • “Non-health hazard (low hazard)” means a cross-connection or potential cross-connection involving any substance that generally would not be a health hazard but would constitute a nuisance or be aesthetically objectionable if introduced into the potable water supply.
  • “Health hazard (high hazard)” a cross-connection or potential cross-connection involving any substance that could, if introduced into the potable water supply, cause death or illness, spread disease, or have a high probability of causing such effects.

3 A DC may be provided if it was installed before 5-5-14; and if such a DC is replaced on or after 5-5-14, it may be replaced with another DC.

4 For the purpose of this table, “auxiliary water system” means a pressurized system of piping and appurtenances using auxiliary water, which is water other than the potable water being supplied by the CWS and which includes water from any natural source such as a well, pond, lake, spring, stream, river, etc., includes reclaimed water, and includes other used water or industrial fluids described in American Water Works Association Manual of Water Supply Practices—M14, Third Edition, Recommended Practice for Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control; however, “auxiliary water system” specifically excludes any water recirculation or treatment system for a swimming pool, hot tub,or spa. (Note that reclaimed water is a specific type of auxiliary water and a reclaimed water system is a specific type of auxiliary water system.)

5 The Department of Environmental Protection shall allow an exception to the requirement for backflow protection at or for a residential or non-residential service connection from a CWS to premises where there is an auxiliary or reclaimed water system if all of the following conditions are met:

  • The CWS is distributing water only to land owned by the owner of the CWS.
  • The owner of the CWS is also the owner of the entire auxiliary or reclaimed water system up to the points of auxiliary or reclaimed water use.
  • The CWS conducts at least biennial inspections of the CWS and the entire auxiliary or reclaimed water system to detect and eliminate any cross-connections between the two systems.

6 For the purpose of this table, “residential service connection” means any service connection, including any dedicated irrigation or fire service connection, that is two inches or less in diameter and that supplies water to a building, or premises, containing only dwelling units; and “non-residential service connection” means any other service connection.

7 A DuC may be provided only if there is no known cross-connection between the plumbing system and the auxiliary or reclaimed water system on the customer’s premises. Upon discovery of any cross-connection between the plumbing system and any reclaimed water system on the customer’s premises, the CWS shall ensure that the cross-connection is eliminated. Upon discovery of any cross-connection between the plumbing system and any auxiliary water system other than a reclaimed water system on the customer’s premises, the CWS shall ensure that the cross-connection is eliminated or shall ensure that the backflow protection provided at or for the service connection is equal to that required at or for a non-residential service connection.

8A reclaimed water system using reclaimed water regulated under Part III of Chapter 62-610, F.A.C., is a low hazard unless the reclaimed water is stored with surface water in a pond that is part of a stormwater management system, in which case the system is a high hazard; an auxiliary water system using well water is a low hazard unless determined otherwise by the CWS; an auxiliary water system using industrial fluids or used water other than reclaimed water is a high hazard unless determined otherwise by the CWS; an auxiliary or reclaimed water system using reclaimed water not regulated under Part III of Chapter 62-610, F.A.C., or surface water is a high hazard.

9 Upon discovery of any cross-connection between the plumbing system and any reclaimed water system on the customer’s premises, the CWS shall ensure that the cross-connection is eliminated.

10 A DC may be provided if both of the following conditions are met:

  • The dedicated irrigation service connection initially was constructed before 5-5-14.
  • No chemicals are fed into the irrigation system.

11 The CWS may rely on the internal backflow protection required under the Florida Building Code or the predecessor State plumbing code. The CWS may, but is not required to, ensure that such internal backflow protection is inspected/tested and maintained the same as backflow protection provided at or for service connections from the CWS.

12 The Department of Environmental Protection shall allow an exception to the requirement for backflow protection at or for a residential or non-residential dedicated fire service connection from a CWS to a wet-pipe sprinkler, or wet standpipe, fire protection system if both of the following conditions are met:

  • The fire protection system was installed and last altered before 5-5-14.
  • The fire protection system contains no chemical additives and is not connected to an auxiliary water system as defined in Footnote 4.

13 Upon discovery of any cross-connection between the fire protection system and any reclaimed water system on the customer’s premises, the CWS shall ensure that the cross-connection is eliminated.

14 The CWS shall ensure that backflow protection commensurate with the degree of hazard is provided at or for the service connection from its fire hydrant.

[Optional changes or additions: The CWS may make changes or additions to the above table. Any changes shall be no less stringent than the above table.]

Component III:The CWS’s policy regarding ownership, installation, inspection/testing, and maintenance of backflow protection that the CWS is requiring at or for service connections from the CWS.

A.Except for dual check devices (DuCs), the customer shall own, and shall be responsible for installation, inspection/testing, and maintenance of, any backflow protection required at or for aservice connection from the CWS. The CWS shall own, and shall be responsible for installation and maintenance of, any DuC required at aservice connection from the CWS; however, the customer shall be responsible for installation and maintenance of the thermal expansion control that is necessary, and required under the Florida Building Code, where a DuC is installed at a service connection to a customer using storage water heating equipment. At least 60 days before the CWS installs a DuC at the service connection to a customer, the CWS will notify the customer in writing and advise the customer to install thermal expansion control if the customer’s plumbing system includes storage water heating equipment but does not include thermal expansion control. (A notice/letter is included inAppendix C.)

[Optional changes: The CWS may make changes to the above paragraph. For example, the CWS may require the customer to own, and be responsible for installation and maintenance of, any DuC required at or for a service connection from the CWS; the CWS may elect to own, and be responsible for installation, inspection/testing, and maintenance of,all backflow protection required at or for service connections from the CWS; the CWS may elect to be responsible for inspection/testing of all backflow protection required at or for service connections from the CWS except customer-owned backflow preventer assemblies required at or for dedicated fire service connections from the CWS (customer-owned backflow preventer assemblies required at or for dedicated fire service connections from the CWS shall be tested by a certified Fire Protection System Contractor I or II pursuant to Chapter 633, Florida Statutes); etc.]